Handle for wooden baskets



2 Smets-sheet 1 INVEN R ATTORNEY NOV. 25, 1930. H, W KRAME HANDLE FOR WOODEN BASKETS Filed May 14 1,926

Nov. 25, 1930.

H. W. KRAMER HANDLE FOR WOODEN BASKETS Filed May 14l 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gli.

5,111.) I4/lll,

INVENTOR WMM ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 25, 1930 UISJITE'IJ STATES PATENT FFTCE e HENRY W. KRAMER, on KrNGs'roivNEW Yoamnssreivon To aALPrI P. YOUNG,` or

1 MAnLBoao, NEW YORK 1 HANDLE Foru WOODEN BASKETS .Application med `:May 14,1926. seran Nd. 109,029.`

`My, invention consists in the novelV features hereinafter described, reference being had to theV accompanying drawing which i1- lustrates several embodiments ofthe same selected by me for` purposes of illustration,

`and the said invention is fully disclosed in the following descriptionand claims.

a metallic handle forwooden baskets of the type ordinarily used for h-olding grapes and 'other fruit, vegetables,` etc. These` baskets are ordinarily composedof a Wooden bot- 1 tom, around the edges of which are secured zo object the provision of ametallic handle sides ofwovod veneer which are bound around the bottom on the outsi'de,.and aroundthe' upper edge usually both Vinside. and outside, with narrow binding strips of woodj veneer comprising a bail member,v andseparately lformed attaching members which canl be securedto the sides of the basket preferably at the factory where the basket is made, and

which are constructedto engage the basket4 at two` opposite points vadjacent-to its upper edge, the bail member and said attaching members being provided with interengaging portions, .to permit the bail` member to be t attached'to the attaching members at the point where the baskets are packed, andthe attaching members vbeing so.. constructed as not to interfere with the nesting ofthe baskets atV the factory kfor shipment. The handle isV also provided with means `for holding vthe cover on` the basket against vertical or longitudlnal` movement. -My invention also contemplates means Jfor ,anchoring the attaching members of the handle tothe bottom "-ing stripF1, thecoverwhich may be 1n one of the basket tofrelieve the sides and the nails which attach the sides to the bottomV from strain. r 4"11n Vthe accompanymgdrawlng, f 1

Fig. 1, represents a perspective viewpartly 1.

in section showing a wooden basket provided witha metallic handle embodying my inven tion.

' Fig. 21,.is ardetail view of the bail member of the handle.

of the attaching members showirin eleva-` tion, and the adjacent portions of the basket and coverbeing shownin section. t 1 Figg, is a similar view showing a1 slightly modified form of attaching member. 1

Figs. 5 and 61alre views similar "to Fig. 3, i j showing further modified forms of the at-r The object of my invention is to provide taching member."

Vmember shown in Fig. 6, looking toward the outside of the basket.

Figs. 8 and 9, are detail views showing,A

slightly modified forms of thebail member.

Fig. 10,- is a vview partlyin sect-ionshowing a portionV of a basket with my improved handle attached,` and one `ot the anchoring` members-.for connecting the Vattaching members to the bottom of the basket. j

Fig..- 11, is a "detail perspective view of` one of' the anchoring devices. 1 Y Fig. 12, is a similar view showing a slightly modifiedformof anchoring'device.

Fig. 13, is af sectional view of a basket showing-one form of my improved handle applied thereto, in'connection with an anchoring device for the attaching members eX,- tending entirely around the bottom and sides of the basket.

Fig.` 14, represents a view similar to 'F 1 10. showing another modiiednform choringdevice.

,Figa 15, is a basket showing the formof attaching device illustrated in F ig. 5, coupled with the anchora ingA member of Fig. 11. Y i

basket, B, the veneer pieces orming the sides,

Q-.the bottom Vbinding strip, D, the exterior top `binding strip, D1., the interiortopfbind- Vtransverse cleat, el, and additionalftransverse`- cleats, one of whichis Vindicated at B2. .This 1 p l Y is the* usual` construction of` thistypelof basket at the present time. 1

y My improved handle comprisesthe` member having a hand engaging'portion, 1,

`which .ispreferably provided centrally `with means for engaging a `hook.onaladdenf,or

detailed `sectional. view of a 8.5.

`In Fig. 1, A, represents the V.bottom ofthe f other support for the purpose of holding the basket in a horizontal position whil-e it is being filled, and preventing the spilling of the fruit or other contents during` the packing of the basket. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the hand engaging portion, 1, is provided with a simple loop indicated at 2, which will not interfere with the carrying of the basket by hand, and at the same time will ailiord a centrally located device for engaging a hook and preventing the hook from sliding in either direction from the central position, which would result in tilting the basket and perhaps spilling the contents. The bail member is also provided with depending arms, 3, 3, each of which is provided with a locking portion, indicated at 4, which in this instance is located at the lower end of each arm and is in the form of an open loop horizontally disposed, and each of the arms, 3, is also provider., in this instance, above the locking device, 4, with a guidin' device, 5, which in this instance is in the form of a closed loop horizontally disposed. ln Fig. l, I have shown the basket provided with two attaching members forming part of the handle, said attaching members being formed separately from the bail member and constructed to be attached to the upper part of the basket at opposite sides, centrally thereof. Each of the said attaching members is provided with means for securing it to the basket, and also with a guiding portion to engage the guiding portion of a bail arm, and also with a locking portion to engage the locking portion of a bail arm. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, each of the attaching members is formed of wire, as is the bail member, and comprises a vertical portion, 6, adapted to engage the exterior binding strip, D, or the exterior of the basket side if no binding strip is provided thereon). At its lower end, this part, 6, is provided with an inwardly extending portion, 7, an upwardly extending portion, 8, parallel to the portion, 6, and spaced from it by the part, 7, a. distance substantially equal to the material of the basket side to be embraced between them and terminating in a horizontal attaching point, 9, bent outwardly toward the exterior of the basket. When these parts are formed, they will preferably be in the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, that is to say, with the part, 8, disposed angularly to the part, 6, and theportion 9, being either in substantial prolongation of the part, 8, or bent at a slight angle thereto so as to pern it the parts, 8 and 9, to be inserted through a hole indicated at l), in the basket side, B, preferav ly liustV below the lower edges of the binding strips, D and D1, after which the point, 9, will be bent into a horizontal position, and the part, 8, will be bent in a direction toward the exterior portion, 6, so as to force the point, 9, through the binding strips, DV and D1, and through the side, B, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 3, thus securing the attaching member rigidly to the basket side adj acent to its upper edge. The exterior portion, 6, of the attaching member extends above the top edge of the basket, and is provided with a downwardly bent portion, 10, and an upwardly and outwardly projecting arm, 11, forming at their junction a retaining shoulder, indicated at 12, and providing a locking loop indicated at 13, at the junction between the portion, 6, and the portion, 10. rlhe upper end of the upwardly extending arm, 11, is provided with a guiding portion indicated at 14, which may be bent slightly out of alignment with the arm, 11, as shown in Fig. 3, if desired, to enable it to engage the guiding loop, 5, on one of the bail arms, 3. lt will be seen that the attaching members can be applied to the baskets at the factory at the time the baskets Yare made, and that they will not interfere with the nesting of the baskets for shipment. It is found convenient to nest them in any desired numbers, as say, Q5 toa nest, and while the entire handle can be applied at the point where the basket is packed, it is preferable to attach the attaching members to the basket at the factory, and to ship the bail members for each nest of baskets with the nest, which can be readily done by placing them in the topmost basket, or otherwise securing them to the package. To apply the bail member to the basket when it is desired to pack it, it is only nece:- sary to place the guiding loops, 5, of each bail arm in engagement with one of the guiding portions, 14, of the attaching members, and force the bail arm downward at the same time springing the locking hooks, 4, of the bail member into engagement with the locking loops, 13, of the attaching members. The parts are so constructed, that, the locking hooks, 4, must be sprung into engage ment with these loops, 13, by the use of some force, the wire of which thehandle formed having sufficient resiliency to permit this. and when the locking hooks and loops, 4 and 13, are once engaged, the engagement of the guiding portions, 5 and 14, will prevent the locking portions from being accidentally disengaged. The basket can now be handled as conveniently as if the handle were in one piece and rigidly secured to the basket This form of handle is very cheap to i e, and 1s particularly desirable with a very light to engage notches or recesses, indicated at c3, 1n the cover, which in the case oit a cover ot the type' shown iiiFig. 1, Ymay extend only through thecleat, e1, or also through the longitudinal strip beneath, if preferred, said notches. being provided at opposite sides oi the cover. This permits the shoulders, 12, to hold thefcover against longitudinal movement, and where the shoulder, "12, rests Von the longitudinal strip, c, as shown in Fig. 3,

it also holds the cover against vertical 1nove` ment.` `If the. lnotch, e3, were 'extended through bothfthickn'esses of the `cover the result would be the same',as.the coveris also held against vertical movement by the locking member',4, of the adjacent 'bail arm which hooks into theloop, 13, and "rests on the top ofthecover. i y

i In Fig. 1, Irhaveshown Va slightly modified form of theattaching memberin which D the parts corresponding with those shown 1n Fig. 3, areY given the same numerals with100 `added. In this construction the vertical part,

106, ofthe attaching member is vprovided at its lower end with the portion, 107, to extend through the side oi the basket-,this part terminating inV a clinching point, 108, as

shown in full and dotted` lines,x which is `adaptedztoNbebent up orfclinched upon the inner sidejof thetbasket, or of the inner binding strip. The part, 106,A is,` also provided with alportion,r106a, `formedby shearing it from the bodyof the wire, to Jrorm a second volinching point which extends'through the side of the basket andthroughthe upper.

bindingxstrips, andis provided with an4 end,

`1061", adapted tojbef clinched onthe inner face Y, ing .a notch, c3, in` the cover V'formed in both i the cleat, @Sand theslat, c, and thus holding the cover against longitudinal movement, the cover beingheld against vertical movement by the locking portion of the bailmemberin the vmanner previously described.,`

In Fig. 5, I have shown anothermodiiied form of attachingmemberin which the parts corresponding with those shownjin Fig. 3,' are given the samereference numeralswvith `the addition of 200. Inthis case, the part,

206, is provided with the sheared clinching point, 206e, 206', as i ust previouslydescribed,

` and thelowfer end of the part, 20(5,isprovided with ,an extension,207, to pass through aY hole 'in the'sideof the basket, and adaptedto be bent f upward 'alongside theA inner AVface of the inner lbinding strip, as indicatedlat 208,

the upper end` otthis portion, 208` extending above the top oithe basket as shown at 209,

and engaging a notch, e, in' the cover in 'this instance in` the longitudinal` strip, e.

The

other portions of the devicebeing constructed' substantially as shown and described With reference to Fig. 3,` except that in this` case the shoulder, 212, rest'slon top of the cleat, e1,- of the cover and need not extend intoa recess therein, as the cover will beheld from longitudinal `movement by the`.upper end, 209, `of thepart, 208. i

In Figs.` 6 and 7 I haveshown another i slightly different` form of attaching member inwhich the parts `corresponding With `those in Fig. 3, aregiventheV same reference numerals with the addition of 300. In this form of the attaching member, the vertical portion, 306, is `provided Withan extension bent upwardlyparallel thereto, as shown at 3062 so i as to form a loop, 3061". `The upperen'd of the part, 306% whichlies Aparalleluwith the part, 306, on` the outside offthe'basket has a portion, 307, eXtendingover theltopedge` ofV the basket, and provided within the basket With `a downwardly extendingl arm, 308, terminating in a` point, 309, adapted to `be forced through the basket from theinside out and `toproject intothe loop, 306?, as clearly be formedinV the manner indicated in dotted Y lines in Fig.,6, so as to permit `the,` attaching v.shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Thelpart, 308, Will member tobeplaced in engagement With'the upperedge of the basket, and the part, 1308, can then be bent into the form shown I inifull lines in Fig. 6, bv a pairof pliers,`or by means oi'aV hammeror other tools forcing the point, 309,'through the siderof the basketand pref.-

Verab'ly` intothe loop, 3061".` `As the part, 307,V

ioo

is above `the upper edge ofthebaskehthe cover is conveniently provided witha notch, N a

c3, inthe longitudinal strip, e, only, and the shoulder, 312, `is conveniently arrangedto merely engage the top of the cover,as the `top VofV the cleat, c1, thus holdingthe cover" against longitudinal and verticalmovement. It will be understood, that, the form of bail used; withany of the attaching members lillustrated indvetail inFigsfB, 4t, 5, 6, and 7.

`In Fig. 8, Ihave shown a bail'meniber constructed exactly like the one illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2exceptithat the handengaging portion, `101, is provided with a centrally disposed arched portion, V102,1forming a notch,` 102,`tol engage a hook on a ladder or other support, `and prevent the basket from tilting materially-While it is being filled. :The other portions of the bail member `shown in Fig.` 8,#

are identicalfwith the parts shoWnin Figs. 1

and 2, and are given' the samenumerals with theaddition off l00.` if: f* -"In lFig." 9,51 have-sho n anotheri-slight modiiication of thebail member in which `the entire hand engaging portion, 2,01,` is formed infan arch lor upwardcurve, so` that when1 engaged with aV hook or uothersupport, it @will 11o i member illustratedrin Figs. 1 and2, can be 'c tend to engage it at a central pointand hold the basket substantially level at all times while it is being` filled. The other portions of the bail member shown in F ig. 9, are identical with those shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and are given the same numerals with the addition of 200.

IVhere the side portions of the basket are of suliicient strength to withstand the weight of the contents, as where the basket is of veryT small size, or is provided with heavy substantial side veneers, it will be unnecessary to` connect the attaching members to the bottom of the basket. I prefer, however, to provide means for directly connecting the attaching members to the bottom of the basket, so as to relieve from strain the veneer sides of the basket, and the nails, or other devices by which they are attached to the bottom, where this is deemed necessary or desirable on account of the weight of the contents of the basket, which will be thus transferred from the handle directly to the bottom, and will prevent the handles from being accidentally detached from the basket, or the bottom of the basket from being detached from the sides, which in either case would probably result in the loss of the contents. This is accomplished preferably by employing anchoring` devices consisting of thin flat strips of metalas tin, for example, one of which is previded at each side of the basket, and is secured to the adjacent attaching vdevice near the top of the basket, and to the bottom of the basket, and in some instances the anchoring means may extend from one attaching member around the sides and bottom of the basket to the other attaching member.

In Fig. 10, for example, I have shown the basket provided with an anchoring device illustrated in detail in Fig. 11, which is -intended to be applied on each side of the bas ket. Yhis device consists of a thin narrow strip of metal indicated at 15, adapted to engage the side, B, of the basket, and preferably provided with means for attaching it thereto, preferably in the form of clinching points indicated at 16, 16, punched out of the metal and adapted to bc forced through the side of the basket and clinched, asshown in Fig. 10. The strip, 15, is also provided with an angular foot portion indicated at 17, to extend beneath the bottom of the basket, and portion also preferably provided with v...nella point, 18, formed in the same manner as the points, 10, and adapted to be driven up into the bottom of the basket. The strip, 15, is also provided near the angular portion, 17, with an aperture, 19, through which a nail, 21, may be triven edgewse into the bottom, A, passing through the side, B, and the bottom binding strip, C, which mayv be either within or outside of the anchoring strip, 15, as preferred, in making up the basket. The anchoring strip, 15, is also provided near its upper end with an aperture, 20, or apertures, through which the clinching points of an attaching member of the handle may be passed, as clearly shown in Fig. 10. In this ligure, I have shown a slightly modified form of attaching member having the vertical exterior portion, 40G, provided with the horizontal portion, 407, extending through the aperture, 20, above referred to, and having the portion, 408, bent up on the inside of the basket, provided with the point, 409, extending through the side of the basket and the upper binding strips, the attaching member being provided also with the locking loop, 413, a downwardly extending retaining shoulder, 412, entering a notch in the cover, and a horizontally disposed retaining shoulder, 4122*, to engage the top of the cover, thus locking the cover against both longitudinal and vertical movement, and the attaching device is provided with the upwardly extending arm, 412, terminating' in the guiding portion, 414. The' bail member is constructed in the same manner as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, and is provided with the locking member, 404, and guiding member, 405, and operates in the same manner as hereinbefore described.

In Fig. 12, I have illustrated another slight modification, in which the basket is shown provided with an anchoring strip, 115, on each side adapted to be secured to the basket as by clinching points, 116, and constructed exactly like the anchoring strip shown in Fig. 11, except that the portion extending under the bottom of the basket is omitted, and the strip is secured to the basket bottom only by'the nail or brad, 121, extending through the lower aperture, 119, in the strip. In Fig. 12, I have shown the same form of handle illustrated in Fig. 1, which need not again be described, and which is referred to by the same numerals used in Fig. 1 with 500 added. It will be understood, that, the horizontal portion, 507, ol' the attaching` member passes through the upper hole, 120, in the anchoring strip. In this construction it will be seen, that the weight of the contents of the basket will be supported entirely by the bottom, A, and the weight transferred by the strip, 115, to the handle.

In Fig. 18, I have illustrated a modified form of the anchoring strip, which in this instance is provided with the side portions, 215, formed integrally with a bottom por tion, 217, extending beneath the bottom of the basket, the side portions being connected to the sides of the basket as by clinching points, 216, and the bottom strip being connected also to the bottom of the basket as by clinching points, 218. In this insta ice, the upper end portions of the side pieces, 215, are carried over the top edges of the binding strips and sides of the basket, as inllo dicated at 222, and downwardly extending portions, 223, engaging the inner face of the binding strips, the upper portions of the anchoring strips being secured to the binding strips and basket sides by the horizontallydisposedportions, 609, of the attaching members of the handle, for example, the

side portions of the strip being provided with registering apertures for this purpose,

\ and also with apertures, 620` for the passage of the portions, 607, of the attaching members. The handle shown in Fig. 13 is identical with that shown in Fig. 1, and is given the same numerals with 60() added.

In Fig. 14, I have shown another modification of an `anchoring `device indicated vat 315, which is constructed in the same manner as that indicated in Fig. 11, except that the upper end is extended to the top of the basket and provided with the horizontal portion, 322, and downwardly extending portion, 323, so as to embrace the upper binding strips, the anchoring strip being provided with an aperture, 320, and withthe registeringapertures, 324 and 325, to facilitate the attachment of the attaching members of the handle,not illustrated in this figure. It will be understood, that, the bent over portions ofthe strip may be secured to the basket in any other desired. manner if preferred, or `found desirable. i

l/Vhat Iv claim and desire to secure by Letters .Patent is 1. In a handle for wooden baskets, the combination `with a pair of metallic attaching members adapted to be secured to the basket adjacent to its upper edge only, and provided with guidingand locking portions at differ- `ent points vertically thereof, a separately formed metallic bail member having a hand engaging portion and downwardly extending i arms, eachprovided with guiding and interj locking portions at different points longitudinally thereof, to iiiterengage with the guiding and locking portion of said attaching members, and'anchoring devices for connecting each of said attaching members with the bottom of the basket, to relieve the sides of the basket from the weight of the contents.

2. In a handle for wooden baskets, the combination with a pair of metallic attaching members adapted to besecured to the basket on opposite sides adjacent to the upper edge of the basket, a separately formed bail meinber provided with means for engaging said attaching members and forming therewith the handle of the basket, and anchoring means consisting of flat metal strips for engaging the sidesof the basket, and provided with means for connecting them with the attaching members of the handle and with the bottom of the basket. i

3. In a handle for wooden baskets, the combination with a pairof metallic attaching members adapted to be secured to the basketV 4l. In a handle for wooden baskets, the combination with a pair of metallic attaching members adapted to be secured tothe basket adjacent toits upper edge, and provided with guiding and locking portions at different points vertically thereof, a separately formed metallic bail member having a hand engaging portion and downwardly extending arms, each provided with guiding and interlocking portions at diderent points longitudinally thereof, to interengage with the guiding and locking portion of said attaching members, and anchoring means comprisingvertically disposed strip portionsof sheet metal, pro- Y vided with means for attachingA them to the sides ofthe basket and to the bottom thereof, said stripsbei'ng provided adjacent to their upperends with apertures to receivethe attaching members for connecting them with said attaching members ofthe handle.

ynAn attaching member for handles of wooden baskets comprising aln anchor `inember attached to the side and bottom of the basket, a metallic attaching member having a vertically disposedportion engaging the exterior of the basket and two horizontally disposed portions, one of said horizontally 165,

disposed portions extending through the side of the basket adjacent its upper edge and throughthe anchor member, and the other Aportion extending through the basket adjacent its upper edge, said portions lying in different vertically spaced planes, said attaching` member including a means for attaching a handle bail thereto. Y

6. In combination, a veneer basket having reinforcing strips adjacent the upper edge thereof,and`handle attaching members each comprising a single metallic member having a vertically disposed portion engaging the exterior of the basket, a horizontally disposed portion passing through the basket immediately below said reinforcing strips, a second vertically disposed portion lying inside of said basket, a horizontally disposed portion passing through said basket and said reinforcing strips and lying in a planeseparated from the first horizontal portion, a bail, and means for connecting thebail to the first vertically disposed portion. 7. In a handle -for wooden baskets, a pair of attaching members each comprising two vertically disposed parts, one engaging the outside of the basket, and the other engaging the inside of the basket, and horizontal p0rtions connected with said vertical partsand passing through the plane of a side of said basket in different vertically spaced planes adjacent the upper edge of the basket, one of said vertical parts extending above the top ot' the basket side to engage a notch in the cover to prevent longitudinal movement thereof, and a separately formed bail member arranged for detachable engagement with the attaching members.

8. In a handle for Wooden baskets, a pair of attaching members each comprising tivo vertically disposed parts, one engaging the outside-of the basket, and the other engaging the inside of the basket, and horizontal portions connected With said vertical parts and passing through the plane of a side of said basket in dillerent vertically spaced planes adjacent the upper edge of the basket, one of said vertical parts extending above the top of the basket side to engage a notch in the cover to prevent longitudinal movement thereof, the other vertical part extending above the upper edge of the basket and provided With guiding portions and locking portions a-t different points vertically thereof, and. a separately formed metallic bail member 'having a hand engaging portion and downwardly extending arms, each provided With guiding and interlocking portions at different points longitudinally thereof, to interengage with the guiding and locking portions o'f said attaching members.

In testimony whereof I aHX my signature.

HENRY W. KRAMER.

igveaflsr 

